Top 5 Venture Capital Firms in Berkeley

For founders preparing to raise capital, understanding the venture capital scene in Berkeley and the wider Bay Area is a crucial step. It helps you identify the right partners for your company and approach them with a clear strategy.

To make this process easier, our team has curated this guide to the top venture capital firms for startups in the region. It’s a straightforward overview designed to help you quickly understand your options before or during your fundraise.

Actively raising? You can now access non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines through Rho Capital. Rho also provides access to business banking, corporate cards, and bill pay — built for startup teams moving fast.

Key Takeaways

• Seeking venture capital funding means finding the right financial partners who can provide capital and guidance to help your company grow.
• Berkeley is home to several prominent venture capital firms, including z21 Ventures, The House Fund, Base Ventures, and Berkeley SkyDeck Fund.
• If you're a startup leader raising capital or have recently closed a round, Rho helps you access and manage your capital with alternative funding, fast business banking, and corporate cards.

Which Berkeley VC Firms Are Right for Your Stage?

Whether your company is in its early days or preparing for an exit, knowing the right investors to approach is crucial. This overview outlines which Berkeley VC firms invest at each stage.

Pre-seed and Seed VC Firms in Berkeley

Seed funding is the earliest capital a startup raises, typically used to build a product and find initial market fit. For founders at this stage, firms like The House Fund, Base Ventures, and Berkeley SkyDeck Fund are key players in the Berkeley area.

Early Stage VC Firms in Berkeley

Early-stage funding, which includes Series A and B rounds, is for companies that have a proven product and are ready to scale their team and operations. Berkeley has several early-stage venture capital firms, including z21 Ventures and The House Fund, that focus on this growth phase.

Late Stage VC Firms in Berkeley

Late-stage venture capital supports established companies as they prepare for major growth, a potential acquisition, or an initial public offering (IPO). In Berkeley, Roda Group is one firm that provides this type of financing for mature startups.

It's also worth noting that some VC firms invest across multiple funding stages, from seed to late stage.

To help you find the right partner, here is our overview of the top VC firms in Berkeley, including details on their investment stages, sector focus, portfolio companies, and what makes each firm unique.

1. z21 Ventures

z21 Ventures is an operator-led venture capital fund that invests in early-stage technology companies. They have a specific focus on startups operating within the US-India corridor.

The firm emphasizes its operator-led approach, suggesting a team with practical experience building companies. Their focus on community and the US-India corridor indicates a specialized network for founders in that niche.

This firm could be a great fit if you are an early-stage founder building a technology startup with operations or market ambitions in both the US and India. Founders who value guidance from former operators may also find their approach appealing.

• Investment stage: Early stage
• Industries of focus: Technology
• Geographical focus: US-India corridor
• Founded: 2022
• Team background: Operator-led
• Portfolio size: 38 investments

You can refer to their website here.

2. The House Fund

The House Fund is a venture capital firm that invests in pre-seed and early-stage startups with roots in the Berkeley community. They provide initial capital to help founders get their ideas off the ground.

The firm's defining feature is its exclusive focus on Berkeley-affiliated startups, creating a concentrated network of founders, talent, and advisors. This approach suggests a strong community and deep connections within the university ecosystem.

This fund is a strong match for founders from the UC Berkeley network, including students, faculty, and alumni. If you are at the pre-seed or seed stage and want a partner with a deep local network, The House Fund is worth considering.

• Investment stage: Pre-seed and early stage
• Geographical focus: Berkeley community
• Founded: 2015
• Portfolio size: 96 investments
• Exits: 14

You can refer to their website here.

3. Base Ventures

Base Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in seed-stage technology companies, providing the initial capital founders need to build their products and find a market.

The firm concentrates on technology companies and has built a large portfolio, suggesting a broad network and significant experience in the seed stage. With over 100 investments and more than 20 exits, their track record indicates a high volume of activity and familiarity with the early-stage journey.

Base Ventures is a good match for founders of technology companies who are raising their first round of institutional capital. Their focus on the seed stage means they are well-equipped to support companies from the very beginning.

• Investment stage: Seed and early stage
• Industries of focus: Technology, Finance, Financial Services
• Founded: 2012
• Portfolio size: 107 investments
• Exits: 24

You can refer to their website here.

4. Berkeley SkyDeck Fund

Berkeley SkyDeck Fund is the investment arm for UC Berkeley's SkyDeck Accelerator, providing capital to seed-stage companies. It primarily supports startups that are part of the university's accelerator program.

The fund’s identity is tied to its role within an accelerator and university, which points to a high degree of structured, hands-on support for its portfolio companies. With a large portfolio of 133 investments, it operates at a high volume consistent with an accelerator model.

This fund is an ideal match for founders at the seed stage who are part of or can get into the SkyDeck accelerator. If your company would benefit from a structured program with deep ties to the university community, this is a strong option to consider.

• Investment stage: Seed
• Industries of focus: Finance, Financial Services, Venture Capital
• Investor type: Accelerator, University Program, Venture Capital
• Founded: 2017
• Portfolio size: 133 investments
• Exits: 4

You can refer to their website here.

5. The Roda Group

The Roda Group is a venture development company that invests in technology businesses. With a history dating back to 1997, they have a long track record of backing companies across various stages of growth.

The firm’s most notable feature is its multi-stage investment strategy, covering seed and early-stage rounds as well as late-stage and debt financing. This flexibility suggests they can support a company throughout its entire lifecycle.

This firm is a good fit for technology founders who value a long-term partner with experience across different market cycles. Their ability to invest at any stage makes them a versatile option for companies planning for future growth.

• Investment stage: Seed, early, late stage, and debt
• Industries of focus: Technology, Finance, Financial Services
• Founded: 1997
• Portfolio size: 31 investments
• Exits: 8

You can refer to their website here.

What This Tells Us About Berkeley's VC Scene

Based on our guide, Berkeley’s venture capital market shows a strong concentration on early-stage companies. The majority of firms here focus on pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds, suggesting a healthy environment for founders who need that first check to get their ideas off the ground and find product-market fit.

For you, this means there is a solid base of local investors prepared to back new ideas, particularly in technology. The significant presence of university-affiliated funds also points to a unique ecosystem that supports founders from the Berkeley community. While late-stage options exist, the area's primary strength is in launching and scaling new ventures.

Raise Confidently with Rho

Having a focused list of relevant investors is critical when your time and energy are limited during a fundraise. We hope this guide provides a clear starting point for your outreach.

If you’re seeking funding, Rho Capital connects you to non-dilutive funding options like venture debt and credit lines through a fast, guided process. Our team is here to support you at a critical time.

We help founders access working capital when they’re actively raising. Once your capital is secured, Rho provides integrated business banking, corporate cards, and automated bill pay to help you manage and deploy funds efficiently.

FAQs about Venture Capital Firms in Berkeley

What are the most active tech sectors for VCs in Berkeley?

While many Berkeley VCs have a broad technology focus, you'll find strong interest in SaaS, fintech, and AI. The university's influence also creates opportunities for deep tech, life sciences, and clean tech startups seeking early-stage investment.

How important is a UC Berkeley connection for funding?

A UC Berkeley affiliation can be a significant advantage, as firms like The House Fund and Berkeley SkyDeck Fund focus on this community. However, many other local VCs invest in strong teams regardless of their university ties.

What do Berkeley venture capital firms look for in a startup?

Beyond a strong idea, Berkeley VCs prioritize founding teams with deep domain expertise and a clear vision. For early-stage companies, demonstrating initial traction or a compelling minimum viable product is often key to securing investment.

How does the Berkeley VC scene differ from San Francisco's?

Berkeley's venture scene is more concentrated on pre-seed and seed-stage deals, often with strong ties to the university. San Francisco has a higher density of multi-stage and late-stage firms that write larger checks for more mature companies.

How can Rho help my startup with its fundraising?

We help founders access non-dilutive funding like venture debt and credit lines to extend your runway. Once you've raised capital, our platform provides banking, cards, and spend management to help you manage it effectively. Get started with Rho.